On this episode of The Metal Cell Podcast, we sit down for an in-depth, one-on-one conversation with Barry Murray, known for his devastating contributions to Cork heaviness through bands like Five Will Die, Partholón, and now his solo drone/doom project Skellig.
Across the hour, Barry discusses the evolution from full-band chaos to the stark isolationism of solo bass-only sludge and drone, and why stripping everything back to one bass, seventeen pedals and two amps unlocked a new creative truth. We dive into the origins of Skellig, his minimalist artwork, and the personal philosophy behind making music with no vocals, no drums, no guitars — just tone, distortion, atmosphere, and intent.
Barry also talks us through the creation of his new songs and why Rodger and the Cursed Monk ethos are the perfect fit for Skellig’s austere, ritualistic sound in 2026. We get to hear an exclusive and early insight into an exclusive forthcoming track — “A Future Ordained by Spilling Entrails”.
We also revisit his previous releases, Of This Carved Land (2022) and Resonance of Our Dolmen (2024), discussing the commentary tied to each work, the minimalist photography behind the artwork, and how solitude, secularism, and distortion shape everything he creates.
If you’re into drone, doom, bass worship, experimental minimalism, or just the brutal honesty behind DIY creation, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Subscribe, like, and leave a comment — and support Skellig and Cursed Monk Records.
Skellig Link:
https://skellignoise.bandcamp.com/
The Metal Cell Podcast
Episode 362: The Dark Evolution of Barry Murray: From Five Will Die to Skellig | Redefining Irish Doom.
December 12th, 2025